PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has not determined whether any of these conditions are related to his time at Camp Lejeune. The rating assigned and effective date remain pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for a psychiatric evaluation to assess the impact of his PTSD on his employability.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorders of anxiety NOS and depression NOS are due to military service.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's skin disorder, as it is related to his in-service exposure.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss was reopened and granted with a 70% rating. His PTSD also warrants a 70% rating, and he is now eligible for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.,PTSD has rendered the Veteran unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting both an increased rating and eligibility for TDIU.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD will be remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, the maximum rating available. The Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his symptoms do not warrant total disability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since March 23, 2010. The Board also granted TDIU based on the severity of his PTSD symptoms.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, GAD, and MDD. The rating assigned is 50 percent for pansinusitis prior to April 8, 2015, and 30 percent thereafter. The Veteran also meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, and a skin disability. The Veteran's PTSD is related to his in-service stressors, while his skin disability is considered to have started during his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected, resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor. The claim for increased rating of bilateral pes planus was remanded and requires further development.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as sleep impairment, depression, anxiety, increased anger, irritability, hypervigilance, disturbance of motivation and mood, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining relationships. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to September 20, 2015.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD, was found to not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for the period from August 12, 2013. The evidence showed that his symptoms were consistent with a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and mental disorder, currently rated at 30 percent from April 3, 2013, and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and adjudicating a secondary service connection claim for obesity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is denied. The Board finds that there is not sufficient evidence to establish the presence of a current left knee disability during the appeal period. However, the Veteran's liver disease is found to be at least as likely as not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. Therefore, service connection for alcoholic liver disease secondary to service-connected PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be as likely as not related to his service-connected PTSD, or if not directly related, aggravated by his other service-connected conditions including diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to verify his claimed stressors and obtain any outstanding medical records. The case will be readjudicated after the additional development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for throat cancer, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disability, skin cancer, and an acquired psychiatric condition (PTSD) have been granted. The decision also addressed the reopening of these claims.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 16, 2012, for service connection of PTSD was remanded due to the possibility that additional service department or personnel records related to his award of the Combat Medical Badge may have been used in determining his eligibility.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine the etiology of any acquired psychiatric disability and whether service connection is warranted. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after this additional evidence is obtained.